60-Day Grace Period: Options Upon Employment Termination

The discretionary 60-day grace period offers a critical safety net for non-immigrant visa holders (and their dependents), in the United States, such as E-1, E-2, E-3, H-1B, H-1B1, L-1, O-1, and TN classifications who unexpectedly lose their jobs. This period enables individuals to maintain their legal status while they explore alternative options, such as finding…

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USCIS Deadlines for Weekend and Holiday Submissions

The United States Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) has recently announced an update to its Policy Manual for filing deadlines to address situations when the last day to file a benefit request or respond to a USCIS action falls on a Saturday, Sunday, or federal holiday. This update aims to increase flexibility for applicants and…

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Interpreter for Visa Interview at a U.S. Embassy in India

Attending a visa interview at a U.S. Embassy or Consulate in India can be a challenging experience, especially if you are not comfortable with English or the language spoken by the consular officer. In such cases, requesting an interpreter can help ensure clear communication and a smoother interview process. In this blog, we will guide…

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Updated USCIS Policy for Child Status Protection Act (CSPA) Age Calculation

The Child Status Protection Act (CSPA) is a crucial immigration law provision that provides relief to children who would otherwise reach the age of majority and lose eligibility for certain immigration benefits. Under CSPA, the age of a child is “frozen” when the initial application for certain immigration benefits, such as adjustment of status to…

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Understanding 212(a)(7)(A)(i)(I) Determination

212(a)(7)(A)(i)(I) is a section of the Immigration and Nationality Act (INA) that outlines the criteria for inadmissibility of foreign nationals seeking to enter or remain in the United States. This section relates to determining whether a foreign national is likely to become a “public charge[1]” in the United States or not having proper paperwork to…

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USCIS Extends COVID-19-related Flexibilities – perhaps a Final Extension

Certain COVID-19-related flexibilities are being extended by US Citizenship and Immigration Services until March 23, 2023. Under these flexibilities, if the request or notice was issued between March 1, 2020, and March 23, 2023, inclusive, USCIS considers a response received within 60 calendar days of the due date in the following requests or notices before…

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CBP Discontinues Passport Stamps for Travelers Entering US

Traditionally, a foreign nationals entering the United States by air or sea used to receive a passport entrance stamp or a Form I-94 (record of admission) following a document inspection at the Port of Entry (POE). Once CBP switched from using paper copies of I-94 to electronic ones, the only physical record provided to the…

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USCIS Guidance on Employment Based Adjustment Applications

US Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) recently issued guidance on several issues concerning the processing of employment based adjustment of status applications for dependents, the use of Supplement J, and the transfer of files from Field offices. Dependent Adjustment of Status Filing USCIS makes every effort to concurrently adjudicate the cases of the principal and…

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CBP Announces New US Bridge Visa Foil

A visa is a document issued by the U.S. Department of State that allows a foreign national to travel to the United States for various purposes. The visa is typically required to be presented at the port of entry to the United States and is required for the foreign national to be admitted into the…

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USCIS Proposes Fee Increase and Imposition of New Fees

The proposed rule by the United States Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) to increase fees for most immigration benefit requests is likely to have a significant impact on employers in the United States. If implemented, employers will pay significantly more for most nonimmigrant and immigrant filings. One of the key takeaways for employers from the…

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